Dating or meeting someone new can be more than an adventure.  It can be something you've never done or done so long ago that you really have lost touch with the art of meeting people. 

As a successful dater (I know it sounds like I'm bragging - I'm not), I'd like to share with women some important tips to meeting a man.  Then again, maybe meeting him is not the problem, it's getting past that crucial first few minutes and letting him know you are interested. After all its the first 2 to 4 minutes people decide if there is attraction between them. 

THOSE FIRST FEW MINUTES

Maybe you've gotten past initial attraction and you've come to sending out the right signs of what kind of relationship you desire.  Friends with benefits?  Short term extracurricular activities, a boyfriend or husband?  Here is what I know and perhaps you know too but you were unsure of with one hundred percent assurance.  Now you can be confident in these truths.

Let's start with flirting.  Should you really call it flirting?  It's desire.  And hiding your desire is a mistake. No I'm not saying come off desperate.  I'm saying if you like him, then talk to him.  A man should likewise know that if you are not engaged in talking to him, he should move on, but that's another advice article for men so I'm not going to dive into that subject matter any deeper than this ...It means for smart men with heads on their shoulders, they will know that if you allow a conversation to wane, they'll read that as a sign of "I don't want to embarrass myself, I need to turn and get back to the guys".   Now he's walked away and you have little chance of returning to a meaningful conversation let alone hook-up.  So yes, the first thing is as basic as breathing, talk to him. 

WE ARE ALL SHALLOW

Next, is understand that men and women are equally shallow.  As far as I'm concerned, neither is shallow, but in today's vernacular the term shallow is how we understand someone that is superficial or sees beauty on the surface.  It's not that at all.  The fact is we men and women are programmed by instinct to look for the most attractive 'mate'.  OK, OK, you may not be looking for a husband or wife, but the fact you are looking is part of your instinct.  You can't fight it.  Accept it is my point.  If you can agree to accept this premise then know this too, if a guy is talking to you then he has already decided you are 'attractive' enough for him. Period.  That attraction may be as carnal as "attractive enough for a one night stand" or "attractive enough to settle down with".  You should be aware of this and attempt to determine which category you fall into.  So don't think in terms of love at first sight, rather think of attraction at first sight.  Once you know where you fall, you can use that understanding to do with your man what you will.